In a remarkable auction deal, Drake, the Grammy-winning artist, has become the proud owner of a custom-made crown ring that once belonged to the legendary Tupac Shakur. The ring holds immense sentimental value as it was worn by Tupac during his final public appearance.
Drake took to his Instagram story to display the stunning gold, ruby, and diamond-adorned crown ring while giving a shoutout to Travis Scott‘s album release, “Utopia,” which includes a collaboration with Drake on the track “Meltdown.”
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The accessory holds profound significance as it is considered “an exceedingly rare piece of Tupac’s signature aesthetic and a slice of hip-hop history,” according to a statement from Sotheby’s, the renowned auction house. Tupac’s godmother and lifelong supporter, Yaasmyn Fula, decided to auction the ring, and Sotheby’s initially estimated its sale value at $300,000. However, Drake’s winning bid soared to an astonishing $1.01 million, making it one of the most valuable hip-hop artifacts ever sold at auction.
Tupac personally designed and commissioned the crown ring in 1996, and he proudly wore it during his appearance at the MTV Video Music Awards that same year. The band of the ring is engraved with the touching inscription “Pac & Dada 1996,” as a tribute to his fiancée, Kidada Jones.
Tupac Shakur‘s impact on the music industry and pop culture is immeasurable. In June, he was posthumously honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. During the emotional ceremony, his sister, Sekyiwa “Set” Shakur, gratefully accepted the recognition on his behalf, emphasizing that they were not merely commemorating a star on the ground, but also honoring the remarkable work and passion that Tupac put into making his dreams come true.
Interestingly, the auction of the crown ring comes amid a renewed investigation into Tupac Shakur’s unsolved murder. On July 17, the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department executed a search warrant in Henderson, Nevada, in connection with the 30-year-old drive-by shooting in Las Vegas that claimed the life of one of the most influential figures in hip-hop. Tupac was only 25 years old when he tragically passed away on September 13, 1996.
Detectives are now searching for items belonging to the uncle of one of Tupac’s rivals, according to warrant documents obtained by The Associated Press. The case is being presented to a grand jury in Las Vegas, indicating that authorities are determined to bring closure to this long-standing mystery. The property raided by the Las Vegas police is associated with one of the few surviving witnesses to the crime, a man who has long been under investigation, and whose nephew was considered a suspect shortly after the rapper’s death.
As the crown ring finds its new home with Drake, it will forever remain a symbol of Tupac Shakur’s profound influence on the world of hip-hop and his enduring legacy. The ring’s historical significance will continue to be celebrated, cherished, and admired by fans and enthusiasts of the genre for generations to come.